First week of January in South England

2nd January, 2012
We took Grandpa and Olivia to a Pantomime in Tumbridge Wells, Kent. Another fun show with hilarious acts and jokes.

After the performance.

3rd January, 2012
We went by train to London to visit a school friend of mine, Lisa and her family. We picked the worst day to travel due to the heavy rain and strong winds. But we had not seen them for ages so we were going.

The train took us to a south London station. We crossed to the north by metro and then took a bus.
The weather at this time has much improved.

Lunch at the Marples, Au pair from Switzerland, Martina, Billy, Georgina, Charley, Lottie, Harry and Lisa.

Playing Wii and DS? after lunch.

Playing 4040 inside due to the wet day.

Playing Sardines and helping the Christmas tree come down.

Return journey on the train.

When we arrived back at the Truemans, Grandma Ann and John were there.

Back to Age of Empires.

Charley's opposition for Age of Empires!

4 January, 2012
Grandpa took us out for lunch and then we played football or tried as it was very muddy.

Lunch at the Swan Hotel in Forest Row.

Forest Row football field, but a little muddy and getting dark - I think lunch must have been Spanish timing.

5 January, 2012

Nathaniel playing his exam piece for me.

6 January, 2012

The Menkens visited Grandpa.

Lunch at Grandpa's

8 January, 2012

We returned to Madrid after a great time with family. It took us longer than usual to arrive home from Madrid airport because it took time to learn another rule about Madrid transport tickets - you cannot buy Familia Numerosa cards at the machines in the metro or in the office there, although all others you can.

When we arrived home, it was lovely having Montse visit us and she kindly brought us a traditional Three King Day Spanish cake which was delicious. I was the lucky one to find both the traditional bean (meaning that I have to buy the next one) and the surprise gift (a small purple china dragon) in my slice.

New Year's Celebrations

We stayed with my sister, Cecilia, for the rest of our time in England. Consequently we celebrated the New Year in with her and her family.

31st December, 2011

Harry and Lawrence making a delicious chocolate dessert.

New Year's Eve Dinner with Matthew and Nathaniel missing as they are celebrating with friends.

The boys playing their favourite computer game,  Age of Empires, with their cousin Lawrence.

Lawrence playing against the twins on his computer and Bill trying to buy a brand new car for less than 2GBP - it wasn't sold that night even at midnight when everyone was distracted.

 1st January, 2012

We celebrated Christmas all over again but with Grandpa this time.

New Year's Day Lunch

Matthew, Grandpa, Billy, Nathaniel, Olivia, Cecilia, Bill, Harry, Lawrence and Charley.

Traditional English Christmas Pudding - delicious with brandy butter.

Grandpa opening his presents while "Age of Empires" is being played across the room on the different computers.

The Trueman brothers and the Menken brothers are one team for Pictionary.

Miranda (cousin) and her husband Alexander(October 2011 Wedding) joined us in the afternoon to play Pictionary.

Afer Pictionary, we played charades - Harry's up.

First Word!

Lawrence's turn.

Charley guessed it - his turn.

End of 2011 in Yorkshire, North England

28th December, 2011

Billy in his new Messi outfit and his newly built spinner robot

The boys received a parcel containing Christmas presents from their Aunt Becca and Uncle David.

Alfie helping Granny make the fire.

Granny's oldest and youngest grandsons serenading her.

29th December, 2011

Alfie found Billy still in bed when he arrived:

I've been up for hours, what are you doing still in bed?

Oh well it's fun cuddling with my cousin.

Today we took Granny and Aunty Stella to the Robin Hood Pantomime in Bradford.

Billy infront of the WWII Memorial, statue of Queen Victoria and the Alhambra theatre.

Alhambra Theater in Bradford

Before the performance

We all enjoyed the performance, Billy thought it was hilariously funny and was inspired to become a comdian (he is already a family one).

30th December, 2011

Last supper at Granny's having fish and chips, well in the boys' case, sausage and chips.

31st December, 2011

Travelling from the north of England to the south from my mum's house to my sister's.

Crossing the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge at Dartford over the river Thames.
The Darford tunnel is for northbound traffic and the bridge is for southbound unless there are high winds which there were a few days later but not today.

Babysitting my nephew, Alfie

On 27th December 2011, Stella had to work and so Alfie stayed with his Granny, Aunties and cousins. Although he was a little unwell he seemed to have a good day with us all.

Alfie and Billy playing ball on the stairs of all places!

Since Alfie was a little poorly, he was a little clingy and I ended up with a muddy coat and trousers + stiff arms the next day!

However, when he found Granny's newly planted hedge he thought that was his own little footpath!

Visiting Granny's horse, Aphrodite.

Alfie taking his cousins for a walk.

 Meanwhile the boys were playing football in the paddock and helping make a bonfire.

Billy, Nathaniel, Matthew in the paddock with Aunty Ceilia at the fire.

Nathaniel bringing logs to the fire.

Harry helping.

Time for Alfie's nap: Charley pushing Alfie, finally because at first he just wanted to be carried.

Alfie eating well with Smokey, the African Grey waiting patiently.

Your mum will be pleased to know how well you are eating today compared with yesterday.

Alfie helping Granny prepare the sprouts, self taught just by watching Granny.

Meanwhile the bigger boys are playing poker.

Granny and Alfie eating grapes.

Alfie happily eating his chocolate biscuit while talking to Granny and Olivia.

Charley extremely happy that he owns three continents, winning the game of Risk.